“The Way of the patriarchs spans a thousand years”

Emerging from the revival of Chan (Zen) Buddhism in 17th century China, Yinyuan (known as Ingen in Japanese) and his fellow monks saw the verifiable transmission of Dharma from the early patriarchs as the cornerstone of their religious legitimacy. This claim gained further significance upon their arrival in Japan, where Zen Buddhism had already flourished for centuries. These Chinese Ōbaku monks also introduced a fresh wave of continental culture, most notably their bold calligraphic styles that reflected contemporary Chinese literati aesthetics. Brushed messages affirming the continuity of this spiritual tradition, especially those created by Yinyuan himself as founding abbot of Manpukuji, a beloved calligrapher whose calligraphy is displayed among the plaques of Ōbaku temples, would have been desirable well beyond the lay followers of Ōbaku Zen.

祖道亘千秋

The way of the patriarchs

spans a thousand years

Further research is required, but brush technique, spacing of the characters, and overall composition does not compare well to other works firmly ascribed to the master. Furthermore, the three seals do not align with accepted versions, so this may be an example of a Yinyuan work brushed by a follower of a later period.